Hey everybody, a few days ago I reported in that my dad had been dealing with cancer and we were working like beavers outfitting the house to make him more comfortable. We were able to reach that goal, but unfortunately, his time of fighting is now over. Mom called me earlier today and told me he had to go into a hospice care house after a particularly rough evening at home and I just about lost it when she did the totally selfless act of issuing the 'do not resuscitate' order to the nurses. I suppose I should find comfort that he is no longer suffering and we must now prepare for burial.

Dad always seemed interested in what kind of gear I was playing at any one time, so the phat hats and 24" light ride will get their first gig at his service.

Thank you to those of you who've sent good vibes my way since that first post about it. I'll be checking in here as it's a respite from my reality right now, but I'll be a little busy the next few days.

If any of you haven't made peace with your loved ones, may I recommend you do so.

Matt, my most heartfelt & sincere condolences. Like many here, & now yourself, we've lost parents recently. Larry only last week too. A dreadful wrench. You have your mum, hold her tight, let her feel your love.

Matt, my most heartfelt & sincere condolences. Like many here, & now yourself, we've lost parents recently. Larry only last week too. A dreadful wrench. You have your mum, hold her tight, let her feel your love.

Andy.

Yup, Larry, Andy, Grea and myself recently. Its wrenching alright. So wrenching that it catches us by surprise. "Its a cross we all have to bear", is something my dad told me when he lost his dad.

And the end of the day all that we have to hold on to is inner peace, lots of love, some forgiveness, some acceptance and reconcilation. Everything else is wrapping paper.

Bo, so sorry for your loss. I'm sure your dad was so proud of you and will be smiling somewhere as you play at his service. Just remember, he'll always be with you in your heart to guide you along. I lost my father almost 15 years ago and still hardly a day goes by I don't think about him at least once. Take care, hug your loved ones, and we are here if you need someone to listen.

Peace to you and yours.

__________________
I am deluded enough to think I can bring something to the table - Huey Lewis.

Commiserations Bo. As Abe said, it seems to be a rough year for elderly fathers. A friend and former neighbour's father died a few months ago. Each of us will experience it differently, depending on the relationship.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes, but we're all ok. The pain is gone and he's in a happier place. The mood in the last day since I posted this has changed to a more positive one. Family will be coming in for the biggest Hawaiian send-off we've ever done so we've switched into special event-mode. The family is pulling closer together and everyone is quite happy. We never seem to do anything small and quiet.

It's a strange place to be in because while dad was sick, you're bummed out because you know you're gonna lose him, but you know you're just being selfish in hopes that he won't go because he'll be in considerable pain to stay just because you want him to. When he finally passed, enough relief comes that you feel guilty because you feel like you're not grieving enough. Mom has declared that we're done grieving (she's stronger than I thought her to be all these years) and we're moving forward. Dad has gone off on his Big Adventure so we're going to celebrate that too.

I'm still a little shaky, as friends have told me I will be, but we all get through it. I've been wondering if medical technology is so great these days - according to the doctors, all kinds of things could've been done to prolong dad's agony, and mom smartly chose not to do that. As much as you hate to lose someone to cancer (or to anything) the relief of seeing him peacefully at rest as I said my final good-bye was much better than I thought it would be.

Thanks Drummerworld friends for being there in this great community of ours.

A very wise friend once told me "The price of love is grief". I can testify that that is true... I lost both of my parents in the last 10 years, and very few are the days where I don't think of them. Both were in the throes of horrendous Alzheimer's and physical deterioration, and it was unquestionably a blessing for both when they finally found their peace.

It was very hard at the time. But it does indeed get easier with time. Be good to yourself, and let yourself grieve- and enjoy your family doubly at the sendoff.

Wise words from everyone... I too send my condolences. I went through this a few years ago, lost both my parents within one year. This is one of those things we all share, and experience, if we live long enough. Hang in there, man.

I enjoyed your comment about him always being interested in your latest gear. I think as sons that makes us feel like DAD digs what we are doing, and that is cool. Good memory to hold onto. He is better off now, and you can remember him from a better time is his life.

Matt, just remember you're not alone. Over the last few months and years a few people on this board have lost family and I know what a difficult time it can be for everyone involved. Needless to say that your family and friends will be there for you and you will be there for them. I'm glad that you can take the positives from this and I hope that continues.

I've been wondering if medical technology is so great these days - according to the doctors, all kinds of things could've been done to prolong dad's agony, and mom smartly chose not to do that. As much as you hate to lose someone to cancer (or to anything) the relief of seeing him peacefully at rest as I said my final good-bye was much better than I thought it would be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skod

I lost both of my parents in the last 10 years, and very few are the days where I don't think of them. Both were in the throes of horrendous Alzheimer's and physical deterioration, and it was unquestionably a blessing for both when they finally found their peace.

I relate to both of these because my sister died of cancer in January and Dad died with severe vascular dementia in May. Diseases with slow decline like dementia and cancer change the dynamics of grief.

You expect the classic sharp sting of grief but instead it's more like a low level ache over a long period. By the time the person dies you've already come to the acceptance stage (thinking Kubler-Ross's seven stages of grief here) and feeling guilty because you not only don't feel the stab of grief, but you also feel relief that the ordeal is over - the indignities, the boredom and the increasing pain and discomfort.

I'll never forget seeing Dad the morning that he died - it was shocking. I walked out of the hospital feeling really disturbed at the prospect of him continuing life in that state so it was a huge relief when I got the call that night to say he'd passed. Had to get the nephew to drive me up because I was so baked lol. I looked at the shrivelled little dead man on the gurney and tried to cry and I couldn't because, in truth, I'd lost him about a year earlier.

I find it strange how little progress we've made in cancer and dementia prevention and cure. Despite some improvements, it's still basically a lottery. Deep down we all know that the Big C can strike at any time and that if you live long enough there's a strong chance you'll start losing your mind.

It's hard to think of any fields deserving of higher priority in the health area.

I know how it feels. I had a concert a week after his death and it was weird.

He should do the do not resuscitate thing, for the most part dying would be less painful that be resuscitated because they will more than likely break open his rub cage to bring him back. Then he would really be wishing he was dead.